'Allure of drugs being dangled in front of him' irresistible to man who verbally abused garda in Cork

Defendant resisted arrest in Cork city centre, shouting f*** you at garda who restrained him, court heard

Accused was found with three wraps of cannabis worth about €100, court told. Picture: Getty

“The allure of drugs being dangled in front of him” proved irresistible for a 29-year-old man, who got so intoxicated he ended up verbally abusing a member of An Garda Síochána and actively resisting arrest.

Daniel Ciemiega, who now lives at Carrig Desmond, Newcastle West, Co  Limerick, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to four separate charges arising out of the incident in Cork City.

Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said Mr Ciemiega had been doing very well in rehabilitation but slipped during a return to Cork City last September.

“He is now working for the past three weeks and hopefully the discipline of this will be of benefit for him,” Mr Cuddigan said.

Judge Mary Dorgan fined him €200 for being drunk and a danger to himself or others, €300 for threatening behaviour, imposed suspended sentences of three months and four months, respectively, for the offences of obstruction and possessing drugs for his own use.

Sergeant John Kelleher described what happened on September 8, 2025.

“Garda Shane Coakley was on the beat in Cork city centre when, as a result of a call, he attended at Smith Street, Cork, and observed the accused.

“Garda Coakley approached Mr Ciemiega, who was swaying from side to side and was intoxicated. Garda Coakley observed what he believed to be a number of small wraps of cannabis in the hand of Mr Ciemiega and Garda Coakley asked him to hand them over but Mr Ciemiega put them back into his back pocket. He refused to hand them over and then threw one package onto the ground.

“He then leaned down and picked his hat up and attempted to run away. Garda Coakley brought him to the ground and restrained him. He shouted at Garda Coakley and passers-by, shouting "F*** you" a number of times while actively resisting.

“A member of the public came to the assistance of Garda Coakley and between them they managed to keep Mr Ciemiega restrained. Assistance arrived soon after and three small wraps of cannabis were retrieved from Mr Ciemiega worth a total of approximately €100.”